ˈsæləˌmændə n. 1 Zool.
any tailed newtlike
amphibian of
the order Urodela,
esp. the
genus Salamandra,
once thought
able to
endure fire. 2 a mythical lizard-like
creature credited
with this property. 3 US =
GOPHER(1) 1. 4 an
elemental spirit living in fire. 5 a red-hot
iron used
for lighting pipes,
gunpowder, etc. 6 a
metal plate heated and placed
over food to
brown it. øøsalamandrian adj. salamandrine adj. salamandroid adj. & n. (in
sense 1). [ME f. OF salamandre f. L salamandra f. Gk salamandra]